Chapter 3
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Kakashi’s POV
Did he hear him right? Had Iruka really just asked to go with him?
“Uh yeah of course you can join I don’t mind” Kakashi stumbled on his words trying hard not to sound as nervous as he was feeling
Iruka smiled.
And the way his eyes crinkled and his lips curved, oh my god that smile would be the death of him.
“Okay, well I’ll come see you after the kids leave then!”
That brought Kakashi back to reality. Right, he'd agreed to teach Kurenai's little hellions of students. Oh, why had he volunteered to do that?
Kakashi already knew the answer to that but would never admit it to himself of course.
“Oh, by the way, I’m Iruka Umino” Iruka introduced himself gingerly, scratching his scar nervously while reaching out his other hand
“I know” Kakashi replied without giving it a second thought and quickly clasped his hand over his mouth. Completely mortified.
“Uh I mean I’ve- uh- heard from Kurenai- about you- she just told me- that’s all” Kakashi tried to justify why he would know the name of the school teacher he had just met for the first time, and went to clasp his hand around the chunnins and oh, was it warm and soft
“Oh haha okay… Kakashi san…” Iruka smirked at Kakashi whose face was now completely flushed
“Uh yeah, see you later sensei” Kakashi replied coolly and quickly turned on his heels back into his classroom before he could embarrass himself any further.
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Iruka’s POV
Iruka turned around to head back into his classroom and could not help his face turning beet red, ignoring his nosey students’ wandering eyes and not-so-hushed gossiping about their sensei.
He couldn't believe he had just invited himself to go with Kakashi to the hospital, what had gotten into him?! Well, clearly it doesn't help that a cute silver-haired boy makes his heart flutter like that- no stop he can't think like that for god's sake he's gonna be working with him now! Iruka needs to get his thoughts straight and start acting more professionally around Kakashi, he won't be catching himself blushing in front of him anymore…at least that's the plan.
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Just as Iruka was packing his books and papers away in his bag at the end of the school day he heard someone knock on the classroom door, he straightened himself to look at the door and saw no other than the copy ninja leaning against the doorframe staring at Iruka.
“Kakashi san, hi” Iruka croaked
“Please just call me Kakashi, let's ignore all the formalities” Kakashi replied back with a nonchalant wink- wait, that was a wink right?! At least Iruka thinks it was a wink… it’s hard to tell when he can only see one of his eyes
“I think I can manage that” Iruka replied with a small smile toward Kakashi
“Ready to go?” Kakashi said soon as Iruka zipped up his bag
“All ready!” Iruka replied jumping to his feet
As Iruka was walking past Kakashi he was too busy mentally praising himself for keeping his cool in front of him when he caught a whiff of his cologne. It was strong and sultry and matched Kakashi perfectly he thought, he smelled like damp wood, and rain, and could even smell a hint of sweet laundry detergent on him
Iruka had to close his eyes to stop himself from going closer and embarrassing himself, and before he knew what was going on he heard himself say- “You smell good”
Iruka’s eyes widened not meaning to comment on the older ninja's scent and quickly coughed to cover up the embarrassment and the not-so-hidden flush that was forming on his face. Not stopping to look at Kakashi, he could hear the copy-nin inhale sharply behind him but he was too busy looking anywhere but at Kakashi, clearly avoiding eye contact
Despite his inner struggles with embarrassment, Iruka managed to mutter “Let’s go then” before quickly walking ahead of Kakashi hoping that he hadn’t creeped the other man too much, but was relieved to hear him humming to himself, waking two steps behind the young sensei.
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Kakashi’s POV
Walking through Konaha’s streets with Iruka was a little awkward, to say the least, not because it was their first time meeting only hours earlier, or because of the stares they were getting from the villagers. But because IRUKA JUST TOLD HIM THAT HE SMELLS GOOD!!! HIM!?! WHO SPENT 2 HOURS GETTING READY IN THE MORNING TO MEET HIS CRUSH?? HOW COULD THAT BE POSSIBLE? WHAT ARE THE ODDS (hehe)
Now, only two people in the world know how flushed Kakashi’s face got upon hearing those words, and that is Kakashi himself and the 10-year-old student he bumped into while frantically trying to keep himself from squealing like a girl. Quickly apologizing to the student Kakashi not so gracefully composed himself, placed his hands behind his head and pretended like nothing happened, all the while humming the national anthem in an effort to calm himself down before Iruka turned around, and his new nickname became the “blushing nin”.
Walking alongside Iruka, Kakashi couldn't help but glance his way every 2 seconds, to the point where Iruka definitely noticed but thankfully decided not to say anything. Before making things more awkward, Kakashi decided to redeem himself by talking about common interests.
“Are you close with Kurenai? I don't remember her mentioning you before she started working at the academy.” Kakashi asked, prying for more information.
Iruka glanced at him, a little surprised by the sudden break in silence, before looking ahead again
“Yeah, I guess you can say we’re pretty good friends. I was always friendly with her whenever I saw her at the mission desk, so when she started at the academy I was so excited to work alongside such a talented Jonin”
Iruka ended his sentence with a small chuckle, embarrassed at his sudden outburst of admiration for Kurenai. Obviously, Kakashi had no choice but to tease him at this.
“So you weren't excited to see me this morning since you're used to working with Kurenai now huh? No admiration left for the rest of us Jonins?” Kakashi asked with a smirk under his mask, which did nothing to hide the teasing tone in his voice.
Iruka, catching on replied
“Oh, you know that's a tough question since not all teachers introduce themselves to me covered in chalk dust, that kind of gets rid of any admiration that was once there” Iruka teased back
That was… definitely not the answer Kakashi was hoping to hear, and after a moment of confusion he burst out laughing
“I did not expect you to bring that up again” Kakashi managed to breathe out in between laughter, grinning at an amused Iruka who just shrugged and continued walking before letting out a small sigh and muttering
“Really though, who falls for a 12-year-olds’ pranks”
Kakashi let out another laugh at Iruka’s sudden confession and thought ‘Well, at least things were no longer awkward’ while continuing towards the hospital. If only the 10-year-old student could see him now, Kakashi WAS indeed cool, he thought to himself.
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